Q&A with Keith R. Hammonds aka DJKR

Where are you from?

I was born in New York, NY, raised in The Bronx and South Carolina. Currently residing in Atlanta, Ga.

 

What kind of creative things did you do growing up?

I was really into drawing while growing up. I would doodle on anything with a blank space. At first, I started out drawing my favorite athletes in action scenes. I then progressed to drawing movie characters and animals. When I was 8 yrs old, my mom bought a record player for me as a Christmas gift. I would take my weekly allowance and head up to Fordham Road to buy 45’s. The first record I ever purchased was "Bootzilla" by Bootsy Collins. I would put my speakers in my bedroom window to give the kids outside playing sports a soundtrack.

 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an artist or a professional athlete. I was into sports pretty heavy back then, so I assumed it would be relatively easy to make the jump to the next level. Boy, was I wrong!

 

What made you interested in DJ’ing and music?

DJ’ing has always been natural for me. I’ve always had the ability to remember song titles and the artists that I heard, musicians, instruments played and who produced and wrote songs by reading the liner notes from albums. My parents were big music collectors. My dad was into Jazz, while my mom preferred Soul and R&B. I had a neighbor who would supervise me and my brother in the afternoons before my parents got home and he had a pretty nice collection as well. While I did my homework, He and his friends would bring over the latest songs and some underground songs on vinyl. I would sit on our stairs, unseen and listen to it all. We always had a variety of music playing throughout the house, so I soaked it all in like a sponge.

 

When you're not working for a client, what do you listen to?  What inspires you?

I listen to a wide variety of Genres, so it really depends on my mood. Right now on my iPod, I am listening to mostly songs from the 70’s and 80’s. In my opinion, the best music ever written and composed was created between 1977 and 1990. Just watching people enjoying themselves and enjoying the music really inspires me.

 

What has been your journey to where you are right now?

The Journey started with me watching other DJs in action and enjoying the feeling I got after that experience. I received a gift of my first DJ set up as an adult and decided to  try it out. There were a few bumps in the road, but I learned from them and it made me more focused and prepared. I am a pro, but I’m also still a student, always learning.

 

Is there anyone in the industry you admire?

The DJ I admire the most is DJ Jazzy Jeff. He really know how to satisfy every person in a room, very multi-dimensional.

 

What is your favorite project that you have worked on?

I taught DJ lessons to students with a group of well respected DJs. It was great to watch the progression of the students in such a short period, and some are actually booking gigs today.

 

What do you see yourself doing in the future?

I want to position myself to perform for the top audiences in the world and to create and produce tracks for artists as well.

 

Do you have any tips for someone who would like to get into the industry?

Always educate yourself about your customer, it makes it easier for you to satisfy them. Also, networking is very important. The more contacts you have, the more opportunities you will gain. Last but not least, expand your range and work outside of your comfort zone. New opportunities will open if you are versatile.